Part 4

The village of Tiriki lay in a valley about five days away from Rivendell. Aragorn looked over the edge of the ridge into the valley. There were several huts set up that appeared to be made of clay. The trees surrounded the area, and hid it mostly from view. The human followed Halabrad down a winding dirt trail which led down into the ranger village.

Upon reaching the base of the ridge, the village came into full view. It was not very large, but most ranger villages were not. This one appeared to contain maybe seven to eight families residing together. Halabrad led Aragorn to one of the huts near the back of the valley. A small stream ran at the back of the house, and a small garden could be seen in the front.

"Welcome to my home lad. Come on I'll introduce you to the Mrs."

Aragorn walked into the house, and noticed that it was an odd little abode. It was scarcely furnished. A table sat against the left wall with a few wooden chairs about it. A fireplace with something cooking over it was against the right wall. Near the fire was another chair, but this was stuffed. Seated in it was a plump woman with white hair and grey eyes.

She looked up from her knitting and asked, "Well, Hal who is this?"

Halabrad smiled warmly and ushered Aragorn further into the room. "This is Strider. He's going to be joining up with the rangers."

The woman waddled over to the human and pulled him into a huge bear hug. She giggled girlishly, "Well it's so nice to meet you, Strider. Why don't you make yourself comfortable? Dinner should be ready in just a few minutes."

Strider smiled at this cheery woman. He had never met anyone quite like her before, but he found himself drawn to her nearly immediately. He walked over and took a seat in one of the wooden chairs surrounding the oak dining table. Halabrad soon joined him. The man slapped his knee and turned to his companion. "I didn't even tell you her name did I? Speak up lad, don't worry I'm not going to bite you. You'll find my memory fails me from time to time. My wife's name is Aquila."

The plump woman looked over her shoulder and gave Strider an amused look. "He's not lying about being forgetful. I've been asking him to take on an apprentice for a while now. Valar knows he needs someone to keep him straight."

Strider couldn't help but chuckle. He watched as Aquila returned to tending her knitting and the bowl of stew brewing on the fire. The man's thoughts drifted to Rivendell. He wondered if anyone missed him even if just a little. Then the man reminded himself of the fact that he was nothing more than an obligation, and that Elrond had never wanted him there to begin with. No doubt Elrond and the elves were glad to be rid of him at long last, and were back to enjoying their lives. As much as he hated to admit it, Strider was hurt that the elves probably didn't miss him. If he was being honest, then the human would have to admit that he missed them, and wished he could go home.

Of course that was out of the question. He supposed that Tiriki was his home now. And at the moment it didn't seem like too bad a place to live. If the others were as friendly as Halabrad and Aquila, then no doubt Strider would soon find he fit right in.

He was brought out of his thoughts by the musical voice of Aquila, "Time to eat boys. Here you go some nice rabbit stew."

Strider dove into the stew hungrily. It was quite good, and it didn't take the human long to finish it off. Aquila smiled with delight, "So you like my cooking? Well good, at least someone in this house appreciates it."

Halabrad gave his wife an innocent look. "Hey, now don't be telling the lad stuff that isn't true. I scarf your cherry pies down faster than you can say orc."

Aquila looked over at Strider and winked once Halabrad had turned his back. Strider had to stifle a laugh to keep from spewing the stew out of his mouth.

After finishing his dinner he asked, "Where am I going to stay?"

Aquila didn't even give her husband a chance to answer. There was no way her husband was going to send this sweet human away from her house. Of course she had no reason to worry, for Halabrad had intended for him to stay with them anyway. "Why right here with us. We have a room up in the loft you can stay in."

The young man smiled, "Thank you. I'm sorry, but I'm really tired. Can you show me how to get up there?"

Aquila pulled on a string hanging from the ceiling. A rope ladder fell down and a hole in the roof was revealed leading up to a second level. Strider climbed up the ladder with his pack slung over his right shoulder. When he reached the top, he pulled the ladder up and replaced the cloth tarp over the hole. Then he slid a wooden plank over the opening.

The human found a small cot set against the right wall. At the back wall there was a small window. Aragorn put his pack down against the back wall, and pulled out some sleeping garments. Once he was changed, the human climbed up onto the cot and soon fell asleep. He dreamt that he found a long dirt road which when the human followed to the very end. To his surprise it finally led him home.

A/N: Here's this weekends update. Thanks again to all my loyal reviewers. I enjoy reading each and every one of your kind comments. I'm only have time to respond to a few reviews this week, but I thank everyone who reviewed the last chapter.

Grumpy: Good to have you back. Glad you enjoyed the last chapter and I hope that you continue to enjoy the story.

Lindahoyland: I'm glad you were able to sympathise with Elrond. It means I did my job, and he's not really one of my favorite characters either. I was really hoping to get my readers to care for his struggle. Thanks again mellon nin.